Lady’Backs derailed on Midnight Express

BY ANDRES FOCIL

Tuscaloosa, Ala.- After two rain delays on the first day of the Southeastern Conference tournament, the University of Arkansas women’s tennis team stepped back on the court to resume doubles against South Carolina at just after 10:00 p.m. Thursday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The double competition picked up right where it left off with heated matches on all courts. On court two, South Carolina’s Christyn Lucas and Magda Wojdylo put pressure on the Lady Razorbacks by winning an 8-4 decision over juniors Melissa Cornett and Vlatka Jovanovic. The Lady’Backs would not go quietly on courts one and three as Karina Ledaja and Maryori Franco battled back and forth with Danielle Wiggins and Miranda Gutierrez on center court to force a tiebreaker. At the same time, senior Iliana Pacheco and freshman Audrey Bordeleau were playing catch-up, 5-7, behind USC’s Laura Ganzer and Fallon Koon. Pacheco and Bordeleau made up one game, but it was not enough as Ganzer and Koon gave the Gamecocks the doubles point advantage with an 8-6 win. After a South Carolina win on court six, Vlatka Jovanovic captured an impressive win on court one over Danielle Wiggins to narrow the score, 2-1. Jovanovic blanked Wiggins in the first set, 6-0, and was almost as perfect in the second with a 6-1 victory. Last time against Wiggins on March 4th, Jovanovic fell in a match that was forced indoors for a third set super tiebreaker that Wiggins took, 10-5. Thursday’s win marks Jovanovic’s fourth SEC win and 12th victory overall this spring. Postseason play for Jovanovic is a possibility. She is currently ranked third nationally in a Central Region that sends four players annually to the NCAA Tournament. Maryori Franco was leading USC’s Laura Ganzer 6-1, 5-3 when Gamecocks won the deciding match on court five just as the clock rolled over the midnight hour. "This is a disappointing way for us to end the season, said head coach Michael Hegarty. "We had our chances in the doubles, but to South Carolina’s credit they capitalized on their opportunities and that set the tone for the entire evening. With the loss, postseason hopes look grim for the 11-11 (1-11) Lady’Backs. If Arkansas did receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament, matches would begin as early as May 13th. For continued access to SEC Tournament play, live scoring and updates are available via www.rolltide.com. For more information on Lady Razorback tennis, please visit www.ladybacks.com. Tennis Match ResultsArkansas vs South CarolinaApr 21, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, Ala. South Carolina 4, Arkansas 1Singles competition: 1. Vlatka Jovanovic (ARK) def. Danielle Wiggins (USC) 6-0, 6-12. Christyn Lucas (USC) def. Karina Ledaja (ARK) 6-0, 6-13. Maryori Franco (ARK) def. Laura Ganzer (USC) 6-0, 5-3, unfinished4. Miranda Gutierrez (USC) vs. Melissa Cornett (ARK) 7-5, 1-1, unfinished5. Magda Wojdylo (USC) def. Illiana Pacheco (ARK) 6-2, 6-16. Megan McGavock (USC) def. Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) 6-1, 6-0Doubles competition: 1. Danielle Wiggins/Miranda Gutierrez (USC) vs. Maryori Franco/Karina Ledaja (ARK) 8-8, unfinished2. Christyn Lucas/Magda Wojdylo (USC) def. Vlatka Jovanovic/Melissa Cornett (ARK) 8-43. Laura Ganzer/Fallon Koon (USC) def. Illiana Pacheco/Audrey Bordeleau (ARK) 8-6Match Notes: Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (6,1,2,5)